WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is challenging a recent court decision that halted new restrictions on mail voting set to be in place before the upcoming midterm elections. This legal battle takes place just as states prepare to distribute mail ballots for the crucial November elections.
The administration’s appeal follows a federal judge in Boston issuing a temporary block on an executive order from President Donald Trump, delaying its effects for two weeks. This executive order would have allowed the U.S. Postal Service to reject ballots from states not adhering to specific guidelines, like submitting eligible voter lists and using uniform envelope styles.
The White House defends the executive order as a series of “commonsense measures” to ensure ballot security, while criticizing the court’s block as “unreasoned and unlawful.” The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals is set to review the case, which may return to the Supreme Court, which previously permitted the order based on procedural grounds without ruling on its legality.
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, which initiated the lawsuit against the order, expressed confidence in their legal standing. “I’m hoping that federal judges continue to hold the line on their constitutional authority and duty,” Stewart said, emphasizing, “The bottom line for voters is, right now, your right to vote has not changed.”
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani cited the lack of time and resources for states to redesign ballots and update systems before the midterms as a reason for her ruling. The initial mail ballots are scheduled to be dispatched on September 4, marking the start of the general election to determine control of Congress.
The controversy arose as Democrats and voting rights organizations filed lawsuits to align with a recent Supreme Court decision. They argue that the Constitution delegates election rule-making power to states and Congress, not the president or the Postal Service.
With nearly a third of Americans voting by mail, election officials warn there isn’t adequate time to adjust systems to meet the new Postal Service requirements. President Trump has frequently criticized mail voting, attributing it to his 2020 election defeat, despite utilizing it himself. A Brookings Institution report from 2025 revealed mail voting fraud is rare, with just four cases per 10 million mail ballots.
Trump’s executive order, issued in March, faced immediate legal challenges. Judge Talwani, appointed by President Obama, agreed to block the order for the midterms, though the Supreme Court noted she acted prematurely. The Postal Service’s plan has since been completed.
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